As is the custom for most OCVCCA tours or other outings, we all met at Mimi’s Café in Tustin. Irv was driving his 1955 Chevrolet Nomad and Lee and Mary were in their 1955 Chevrolet 210 four-door sedan. We all caravanned with Irv taking lead. When we arrived at the show we only waited a short time before we were swiftly checked in and parked. I was very impressed with the organization of this show. The event organizers had plenty of volunteers assisting with the many aspects of managing an event such as this. Also, with 13 years of experience hosting car shows, these folks knew what they were doing and it showed.

This show regularly hosts up to 300 pre-1972 American cars and trucks. Foreign cars and mini-trucks are not eligible for entry. Most of the entrants consist of custom rods with a few classic cars and trucks participating as well. It appeared that Chevrolet was the dominant nameplate followed by Ford, Chrysler, other General Motors brands and a variety of Orphan vehicles manufactured by automakers no longer in business; such as Studebaker, Rambler, Nash, AMC, Oldsmobile and Packard. One of the unique class awards was in fact an award for Best Orphan entrant.

The show ground coordinators were kind enough to arrange for us all to park next to each other. After we all were parked, we set up “camp”. We set up two “Pop-Up” canopies and arranged all of our lawn chairs. We had plenty of cold soft drinks and snacks to keep us all content. One of the items on our agenda for this show was to pass out flyers inviting Chevrolet owners to join us for a “Picnic in the Park” an OCVCCA event designed to attract new members to join our car club. So, after we got the camp set up, Irv, Lee and I set out to check out the cars of the show and to greet as many Chevrolet owners as possible. Sabrina and Mary stayed behind to keep an eye on everything.

We were very successful in meeting with many owners of Chevrolets at the show. Several of them said they would attend our picnic. Others told us that they thought they couldn’t join OCVCCA because they had a modified car or because they weren’t sponsored by someone. Part of our job was not only handing out flyers but dispelling these “urban myths” that can be created and if not addressed can be spread to hundreds of people before the validity of any such reports are ever checked out.

Once we passed out flyers to each of the Chevrolet owners, we went back and visited with the girls for a bit. Soon, the conversation turned to various topics such as trivia questions, jokes, old car stories, high school adventures and other interesting tales. Before we knew it, they were ready to announce the winners. As this was an event that was predominantly focused on custom rods, neither Irv nor I had any hopes of winning anything. Lee on the other hand, had the best shot as he drove his modified Chevy 210. But, today was not a victorious day for any of us. That didn’t detour any of us from enjoying the day. We represented our club and offered support to one of our fellow automotive enthusiast groups and all had a good time. The best part is, a few bucks were generated to help some very special kids, and that makes all of the show’s attendees winners in my book!